New Isinya substation to end power outages in Nairobi and Mombasa
Rift Valley
By
Peterson Githaiga
| Aug 14, 2024
It is a relief to electricity consumers in Nairobi and Mombasa counties who have over the years been inconvenienced by frequent power disruptions following the handing over of the KETRACO Isinya Substation in Kajiado County.
The 220/400kV substation located in Kajiado County is the second biggest substation after Suswa and is connected to the Olkaria geothermal fields through the Suswa substation.
Speaking during the handing over of the facility, newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Energy Opiyo Wandayi said the substation has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, with 400 megawatts already connected.
"Today being my first day in office since my appointment, I'm happy to announce a great achievement in the electricity sector. We are aware that our Nairobi and Mombasa electricity consumers have been enduring blackouts and power disruptions, and this will not happen again," said Wandayi.
READ MORE
Junior Starlets intensify preps ahead of Uganda test
Campaigning politicians must be careful not to incite violence
Junior Starlets keen to finish the job against Namibia in WCQ
DPP sued over dropped suspects in Baby Pendo case
Junior Starlets step up training ahead of Namibia battle
Why has it taken so long to return to the Moon?
Judge's order that could help end electoral violence in Kilifi
Wandayi said that despite the challenges the sector is facing, he remains optimistic about the projected expansion of Kenya's transmission infrastructure.
"We appreciate the challenges that could still be there. There has been slow progress with the speed of implementation of these projects. The biggest challenge we are facing is financing," added the CS.
He appealed to all stakeholders to work together to achieve their goals of reducing costs to the consumer.
"If we work together, we will be able to enhance our velocity to realise the potential of the country in terms of energy, transmission and eventually reduce costs to the consumer in the shortest time possible," said the CS.
The CS noted this Isinya substation was his first visit since his appointment and assured him that he would visit other KETRACO substations to fully appreciate the investments that have gone into such projects.
CS Wandayi was accompanied by former Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir (now Roads and Transport CS), Eng. Kibias and Mr Mohamed Liban, PS State Department for Petroleum.